Public security ministry detects asset appropriation via payday loans

By Thai Son
Wed, April 12, 2023 | 8:23 am GMT+7

Police across Vietnam have recently detected cases involving asset appropriation by businesses posing as financial services firms, who conduct illegal debt collection.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung presented a report on the problem at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi early this week on security, social order and safety.

He said in recent times, his ministry has instructed police in many localities to address debt collection and loan shark issues.

“Police have clearly analyzed the nature of these criminal groups, especially illegal debt collectors. It is not terrorism or slandering; the nature of this type of crime is the appropriation of assets,” Hung said, while mentioning two typical cases that clearly involve newly sophisticated tricks.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung speaks at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi on April 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of the National Assembly.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung speaks at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi on April 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of the National Assembly.

He noted their tricks have made serious impacts on security and order.

The first case involves asset appropriation by Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered law firm Phap Viet. On February 14, 2023, the Ministry of Public Security directed Tien Giang province police to crack down on the firm for asset appropriation via illegal debt collection.

Hung said it was an organized ring with large-scale operations conducted via a strict, three-level debt collecting process. The first involved making threatening phone calls to demand payment. The next step was threatening to kill the borrower’s family members, spreading libelous photos, or threatening job loss.

At the third level, coffins were delivered to the borrower’s workplace, and sometimes a gas tank or gasoline to heighten the threat. Schools attended by the borrower’s children were similarly targeted.

For such cases, Tien Giang police have prosecuted 54 defendants, including two deputy directors, 20 division heads, one secretary, and 31 staff members .

The second case involves criminals pretending to be a financial services company.

The deputy minister said that from November 2022 till now, his ministry has directed HCMC police to dismantle six groups accused of asset appropriation in the guise of consumer finance firms.

They include Mirae Asset Ltd., River Law Company’s HCMC Branch, Tieng Noi Hay Ltd., and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Company.

HCMC police have prosecuted 64 defendants for appropriating assets. They have conducted administrative checks on a number of other firms like Galaxy Debt Trading Co., Easy Credit, and Shinhan Finance Company.

Hung said following police crackdowns in HCMC and Tien Giang, some organizations disguised as debt collection companies have changed their markets or downsized to deal with the police. This has resulted in a safer society nationwide compared to the time prior to the police campaigns, and residents supported the crackdowns, he added.

At the 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on March 15, the Ombudsman Committee said it had received thoughts and aspirations from voters nationwide who claimed that pawn services, debt collection activities by enterprises registered as law firms, debt trading companies, and similar businesses had recently terrorized the spirit of borrowers and their families, frightening the general public and harming social order.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Our prices 30-40% lower than DHL, Viettel Post: Gozo CEO

Our prices 30-40% lower than DHL, Viettel Post: Gozo CEO

Gozo, a Vietnamese logistics startup, currently holds a key competitive advantage: its prices are 30-40% lower than those of major players like DHL and Viettel Post, said Phan Duy Minh, founder and CEO of Gozo Express.

Companies - Sat, May 17, 2025 | 12:27 pm GMT+7

New rules on foreign investors’ acquisition of shares in Vietnamese credit institutions

New rules on foreign investors’ acquisition of shares in Vietnamese credit institutions

Vilaf lawers provide an insight into the government's new Decree 69/2025/ND-CP which amends a number of provisions of Decree 01/2014/ND-CP on foreign investors’ acquisition of shares in Vietnamese credit institutions.

Banking - Sat, May 17, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7

Vietnam forecast to become world’s second-largest rice importer by 2025-2026

Vietnam forecast to become world’s second-largest rice importer by 2025-2026

Vietnam is projected to become the world’s second-largest rice importer in 2025-2026, only after the Philippines, as the country must ramp up imports to meet export demand amid falls in domestic production, according to the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Southeast Asia - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 11:36 pm GMT+7

The Trump Organization gets okay for $1.5 bln property project in northern Vietnam

The Trump Organization gets okay for $1.5 bln property project in northern Vietnam

A $1.5 billion golf, eco-tourism and urban complex proposed by a joint venture between Hung Yen Investment and Development Group and IDG Capital, which represents The Trump Organization, has received in-principle approval from the Vietnamese Government.

Real Estate - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 10:46 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's leading developer Becamex seeks to become billion-dollar company

Vietnam's leading developer Becamex seeks to become billion-dollar company

Becamex, a leading industrial real estate developer in Vietnam, is strongly restructuring itself, attracting more private investment capital, and reducing state ownership, with an aim to become a billion-dollar company.

Companies - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 5:10 pm GMT+7

S Korea's Hanwha Energy eyes more LNG power projects in Vietnam

S Korea's Hanwha Energy eyes more LNG power projects in Vietnam

Hanwha Energy is keen to invest in more LNG-to-power projects in Vietnam, vice president Kim Young-Wook said in a meeting with the country's Ministry of Industry and Trade on Thursday.

Energy - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 3:32 pm GMT+7

Vietnam, Thailand elevate relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnam, Thailand elevate relations to comprehensive strategic partnership

Vietnam and Thailand have upgraded their relations from a strategic partnership, established in 2013, to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Politics - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 12:44 pm GMT+7

Vietnam, China firms partner to develop pumped storage hydropower in Vietnam

Vietnam, China firms partner to develop pumped storage hydropower in Vietnam

Vietnam's Power Generation Corporation 2 (EVNGENCO2) and China's Lancang-Mekong International Company Limited (CSG-LMI) have signed an MoU on cooperation to develop pumped storage hydropower projects in Vietnam.

Companies - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 12:27 pm GMT+7

Vietnam market rebound in May: Leading stocks begin to rally

Vietnam market rebound in May: Leading stocks begin to rally

A new wave of stock market gains appears to be forming in Vietnam, opening up promising investment opportunities for both institutional and retail investors.

Finance - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 11:12 am GMT+7

Malaysia's TNB proposes partnership with Vietnam's EVN in connecting regional power grids

Malaysia's TNB proposes partnership with Vietnam's EVN in connecting regional power grids

TNB, Malaysia's largest utility, has proposed Vietnam's state-owned utility EVN to cooperate in building a power transmission network connecting countries, including a line between Malaysia and Vietnam, via land and sea.

Energy - Fri, May 16, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7

New Vietnam-China int'l road transport route opens

New Vietnam-China int'l road transport route opens

Convoys carrying electronic components, fresh vegetables, and daily necessities departed simultaneously from Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan province on Wednesday morning, heading for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Southeast Asia - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 10:34 pm GMT+7

Indonesia’s rice reserve set to hit record 4 mln tons

Indonesia’s rice reserve set to hit record 4 mln tons

Indonesia’s rice reserves are on track to surpass 4 million tons, setting an all-time high after reaching a new record of 3.7 million tons in mid-May.

Southeast Asia - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 10:24 pm GMT+7

China's giant Huadian Group eyes enlarging renewable energy portfolio in Vietnam

China's giant Huadian Group eyes enlarging renewable energy portfolio in Vietnam

Huadian Group, a wholly state-owned company of China, is keen to further invest in Vietnam’s renewable energy sector.

Energy - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 9:40 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s macroeconomic indicators 'broadly positive': Dragon Capital

Vietnam’s macroeconomic indicators 'broadly positive': Dragon Capital

Vietnam's macroeconomic indicators remained broadly positive, with both trade and FDI attraction performing well in the first four months of the year, write Dragon Capital analysts.

Economy - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 5:47 pm GMT+7

'How many new jobs created’ should be new KPI for local governments: VCCI leader

'How many new jobs created’ should be new KPI for local governments: VCCI leader

With a shift in thinking about the role of the private sector, local governments may soon prioritize creation of new jobs and businesses over traditional growth metrics, according to Dau Anh Tuan, deputy secretary-general of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).

Economy - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 5:23 pm GMT+7

Herbalife’s Vietnam earnings hit $75.4 mln in Q1, exceed China tally

Herbalife’s Vietnam earnings hit $75.4 mln in Q1, exceed China tally

Herbalife, a global multi-level marketing corporation selling dietary supplements, recorded $75.4 million in net sales in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2025, according to the firm’s report.

Companies - Thu, May 15, 2025 | 5:01 pm GMT+7